Richard Rohmer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, in
1924. He led an quiet life until leaving high school.
His first job after school was with Fleet Aerospace in
Ft Erie.
He developed a love of flying and in 1942, at the age of 18, he
signed up with the RCAF and flew a P51 Mustang in the European
theatre.Rohmer flew a reconnaissance
aircraft on D-Day and over the beaches of Normandy. On one
mission he spotted a German staff car, which turned out to be that
of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox and the commander of
German defences along Normandy. Based on Rohmer's
spotting, Lt. Charlie Fox, a Canadian flying with 412 Squadron,
strafed the staff car and forced Rommel essentially out of the war.
This incident is considered by many as a turning point for the
allies in Europe.
Rohmer also took part in the liberation of France,
Belgium and Holland. For his efforts he was awarded many
medals and honours including: the
Distinguished
Flying Cross, Officer of the Order of Leopold
(Belgium) and the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (France).
He returned to Canada after the war and studied
law while still in the RCAF. He attained the rank of Major
General after his retirement, as Chief of Reserves of the Canadian
Armed Forces. He has remained active as a lawyer specializing
in military affairs. General Rohmer is Honorary Deputy
Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police, Honorary Chief of
Toronto Emergency Medical Services, Patron of the Toronto St. John
Ambulance, Honorary Fire Chief of Collingwood, Honorary Detective of
the Toronto Police Service and Honorary Commanding Officer of the
707 Major-General Richard Rohmer Air Cadet Squadron of Etobicoke,
Toronto.
Rohmer currently lives in Collingwood, Ontario
where he still flies and writes. Rohmer has written over 20
books including: Separation, Separation 2, Ultimatum, Balls, and
Triad. His newest book, Ultimatum 2 is very timely. as it
deals with sovereignty of Canada's north. He was made an
Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990.
General Richard Rohmer, seen second from the right
in the image to the left, is a true Canadian hero. |